Wednesday May 20, 2009 7:51 pm

Audrey Tautou has high praise for Coco Chanel

Audrey Tautou is of the opinion that Coco Chanel gave women freedom. Tautou, the French actress who plays the legendary designer in new film Coco Avant Chanel, says the designer was a huge inspiration because she broke down barriers that had held back women before her. “She was the woman of the moment. She was very intelligent, strong and courageous. She wanted to be free and independent. At the time, nobody knew that could exist. She refused to let herself be closed off by social conventions and she was almost a rebel - she was almost a feminist ahead of time. In terms of fashion, she freed women.”

Audrey is also a huge fan of Chanel clothes because they are so elegant. “Chanel’s style is the style of simplicity. It’s very feminine and is the symbol of French elegance.”

Coco, who died in 1971 at the age of 87, was one of the most important figures in 20th century fashion. Her menswear-inspired designs, which were renowned for their expensive simplicity, are some of the most sought after clothes in the world.